Solskjaer confirms his starting goalkeeper for the Manchester derby

De Gea or Henderson? The Manchester United boss has announced his starting goalkeeper for this weekend’s derby against City.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed Dean Henderson will start in goal for Sunday’s derby as Manchester United visit Manchester City at the Etihad.

The Red Devils boss has allowed first-choice keeper David de Gea to take ‘as much time as he needs’ off after the birth of his first child. The Spaniard flew back to his homeland earlier this week to be with his partner, Edurne Garcia.

De Gea announced the arrival of the couple’s child, Yanay, on social media on Friday.

Yanay ❤️ 4•3•21 pic.twitter.com/UPyKjwn4Ws

— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) March 5, 2021

“It’s a fantastic day for David, of course,” said Ole in a pre-match conference on Friday afternoon. “When you become a dad it’s possibly the best feeling you can have.

“Those who are lucky enough to have had that feeling know exactly what David is going through now. We’ll give him the time he needs before he comes back.

“He asked to go home and in the old world it’s a day and you go and you’re ready again. With the pandemic and the quarantines, it’s a different world.

“Still, we felt when David wanted to be there to support his girlfriend that’s not even a decision to make. Dean came in and played well, and he’s ready. I’ll give David the time he needs, of course.”